Little blob, big future

Sorry for the radio silence for over a month now!   I've not been feeling the greatest, but in the best way possible.   I found out recently that we will be adding a new family member soon...and not in the way that I usually blog about.   Our little bundle of joy is due January 2, 2015.  So that means I'm about 13 weeks pregnant.  Last month, we went in for the first ultrasound just to confirm the date and make sure everything was looking good.  I've had some right sided pain since week 3 that I had been concerned about.  Unfortunately, doctors (veterinarians included) make the worst patients.   Since the day I found out, I've had a running list of statistics of complications in early pregnancy, miscarriage rates, and all the things that can hurt the baby.  During my first appointment with my own doctor, my family practice doc (who is awesome) took one look at me and said ..."So let's start with your questions..."   

Just for fun and the thought that maybe my experience can help first time moms relax...Here's a summary of my experience with my first pregnancy.

Weeks 3-4 - Awesome. I'm still reveling in the fact that I'm pregnant.  I felt great if not a little tired. I think I might have thrown up 1 time 1 morning.  I remember thinking ...Is this morning sickness?  More on that later... I really had time to just enjoy the thought and start making some crochet projects for baby.  Within a week of testing positive, I also made an appointment with my doctor.  The first visit with the doc was mostly just answering all my questions, and bloodwork.  They drew a lot of blood for all sorts of tests :)   Everything was all normal, except for trace ketones in my urine.  The doctor says that's probably normal too since my metabolism is changing.  The only other signs I experienced were very mild cramps like my period was coming and a pinching pain on my right side.  The right sided sharp pain had me a little stressed about a possible ectopic pregnancy (even though I have NONE of the risk factors). 

Week 5- cramps are starting to dissipate, but I still have that pinching pain.  The doctor said it's probably round ligament pain.   

Week 6 - Like clockwork...as soon as week 6 rolled around the vomiting began.  I have no idea why they call it morning sickness when it lasts ALL DAY.   The miserable nauseated feeling never fully goes away...  During this week, I spent the first 3 days puking my guts out and exhausted.  Soon, I figured out that I HAVE TO EAT...even when I don't think I can keep it down.  If I get the tiniest bit hungry...the vomiting starts.  So I started eating small snacks almost constantly.  My favorites: apple sauce, apples, jello, saltines, bananas.   When I'm home, I ate bowls of cereal like it was my job!  Favorite cereals: Fruity Pebbles, Marshmallow Mateys, Cheerios, and Raisin Nut Bran.   I wouldn't say I'm having cravings, but I have aversions to most food.   So if I feel like eating something, I eat it.

Week 7-12 - All day NVP (nausea and vomiting of pregnancy) continued.  I started getting up in the middle of the night to use the restroom.  Most of that weird cramping is gone.  I still get the hiccups EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Here's a picture from Week 11.  That week, I just barely started showing a tiny baby bump.   My clothes started to fit just a bit too tight.  I went out with Chase to pick out some stretchy skirts. I'm really glad maxi skirts and dresses are in style!

So you want to know what the first trimester feels like.... Well this picture pretty much sums it up.   I keep big bowls strategically placed around the house in case I don't make it to the bathroom.   Anything can set me off...a commercial from a former favorite restaurant, the smell of Chase cooking my favorite food, opening the refrigerator, just sitting there doing nothing.     I'm just so tired all the time!  I let the house get really, really dirty.   Well....today the team from MaidPro came by to help me out.  I finally broke down and hired a cleaning service.  AND I can say it was well worth it.  My house feels and looks so much better!

Anyway!  I'm so happy to be able to share my big news with everyone.  Lol...we're still not putting it on my husband's wall though...so be careful not to tag him on Facebook :)


Peace and Love, y'all!  

Current Happenings, Project Life, New Digital Scrapbooking Store

It's a lazy Wednesday morning.  In my dreams this morning, Chase and I had just gotten through a long line for a ride in Disney World.  Just as the ride was starting, a loud clap of thunder woke me up.    The cats are both sleeping on their respective couches, Gary's sleeping in his bed, and Ruby is taking cover in the hall bathroom.   I just finished drinking my first cup of coffee and a bagel while watching the morning news.  It's a lazy morning.   After I finish this post, I'll evaluate our Dave Ramsey Style budget.  

Here are some recent layouts I've done for my "Project Life"  I'm attempting to document everyday life by making 1 layout for every week of the year.  :)

 

Here's Week 10.  Chase and I went to go see the Lego Movie.  Much to our surprise, we loved it!  We had little expectation that it would be any good at all, but it ended up being a very creative, enjoyable movie.  This layout was made with a kit by Jen Wright Designs called Life Series March 2014.   It's available at the brand new digital scrapbooking store: Scrappy Bee.

Here's the next layout:

This one is for Week 11.  I used a kit by Keep in Touch Designs: Document March.

Here's Week 12.   This one is with Jen Wright's kit again :) 

I can't believe it's April!   This is the 14th week of 2014.  

Well I'm off to take a look at our budget.  Chase and I are taking Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace.  We're trying to pay off the astronomical amount of student debt I carry from Veterinary School.  When I was a student, I had no idea how it would feel to carry this much debt.  There are days, the burden feels so heavy.  How did I get in this much debt...drag my family into this deep hole?  Even working to pay off my debt with "Gazelle-like intensity" (think of eating ramen multiple times per week...selling off belongings on Craigslist....and picking up a second job on top of my full time job), we'll still be paying for many years.   Just making the minimum payments...my debt free date is 11/02/2037.  If Chase gets a better paying job (ie, a paying job at all) after graduation this June, I'm hoping to be able to make double payments.  Right now we are living almost entirely off my income.  So everything he makes can go toward our debt.  

If any budding veterinary students have stumbled across my blog, drop me a line and I'll share some tips with you.

Peace and Love, y'all

Some recent scrapbook pages

I've been scrapping up a storm lately.  I'm trying to keep up with weekly layouts just documenting everyday life.  Nothing fancy...just simple recording life as it occurs. 

Here's one with Keep in Touch Design's kit Simply a Love Story.

This one is with her kit Document February.

This are with some of Jen Wright's kits Life Series: February.

This is one I made with Keep in Touch Designs' mini kit - Just a Moment.  It's a layout from 2011 when we said goodbye to Mr. Bailey.

 

It seems like I'm doing a lot of catch up with scrapbooking :)  Here's one with Dee's My Endless Love kit. 

 

I'm having a ton of fun with the kits by all 3 of those designers :) 

Peace and Love, y'all!

WOYWW

So it's Wednesday. And that means it is what's on your workspace Wednesday time. Thank you Julia, for hosting it (http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/).  This week I have a new set of watercolor paints and a blank page on my workspace. What could be more inspiring than that? During my visit to Little Rock Arkansas, I visited Art Outfitters. Beth talked me into grabbing some more watercolor paints. She recommended a brand I haven't before (Daniel Smith Extra Fine), so I'm really excited to give them a shot.  

 

 

Something new to my craft room is this China cabinet. I inherited this China cabinet from my grandmother.  It features a lot of my teacup collection. It also features some hand-painted china painted by my great-grandmother.  Both the China cabinet and the hand-painted pieces are treasures to me :)

 

Of course no blog post would be complete without one of my pets, and here's Ruby. She's right in front of a statue that my brother got me for Christmas a couple years ago.

 

And just because you were probably curious, here's what's inside the wardrobe.   A couple of months ago, my mom visited and helped me organize everything in here. The neat little labels help me find art supplies, and make it easier to work :). 

Well thanks for dropping by.  For Valentine's Day Chase purchased a gift certificate for a massage. After I get that massage today maybe I'll come back and do some painting.  :)

Peace and love y'all!

At 4 pm today: 

Encouragement Lunch Cards

Picasa isn't playing nice with Blogger today so I have to compose this blog the long way :) Oh well!

It's been a long time since my last post, but I've still be working on projects.  We've had a couple more little visitors stay with us over the weekends (foster children).  I think the Three Little Bears, Scooby & Shaggy, and maybe Princess Peach came to stay with us.   At foster parent support group, I got to see one of the Luke and Lando boys.  He gave me a big hug and said he wanted to stay a weekend with us.  Love that kid.  I hope he's doing well.    As a foster parent, you'll carry the memory of every child that's ever stayed with you.   They'll stay in your hearts long after they've left your house...

As far as crafty projects go, I've been working on Valentine designs to print (and sell) to friends and family.   They turned out so cute!  I'll probably post more pictures of them on Valentine's day.  I decided to go with animal themed designs :) 

Here are some first sketches of raccoons:  "You Stole My Heart"

As I was printing them and cutting them out, I was thinking why only do this on Valentine's day?    So I made little cards that I want to use to encourage others :)

I used the digital scrapbooking kit My Endless Love by Dees-Deelights. The fonts are all by Darcy Baldwin (at Sweet Shoppe).

This one is Dee's kit The Color of Love with Darcy Baldwin fonts.

These kits were perfect for making these little cards :)

Since it was my morning off today, I had time to pack Chase's lunch and send him with a little encouragement from God's word :) 

Peace and Love, y'all!

Scrapping in the New Year

Chase and I celebrated Christmas together - just the 2 of us.  It was quiet and peaceful. 

My parents came to visit just a couple days after Christmas and stayed for a week.  We had a lovely time eating delicious meals, playing games, and piecing puzzles.  During my time off, I got some scrapping done!  

I'm on 3 creative teams now, so I'll be scrapbooking a lot more regularly.  The third team I'm on is Keep In Touch Designs.  Sophie is a French designer with very whimsical kits.  I love her style.

This layout was done with her free mini kit available as a part of Scrapbookbytes Monthly Challenge.  It's hard to believe this picture is from 2 years ago!  I'm still catching up on my scrapbooking. 

This is with Sophie's Cozy at Home Kit.  I adored the chalkboard paper AND the doily stamp.  Very fun!  The font is of course my custom handwriting by Darcy Baldwin.

This layout isn't part of my CT. It was just for fun.  I used Lauren Grier's new kit, a Darcy balwin font (Tell your story...i think), Oh My Mats by Melissa Bennet.   I just loved the bright colors, and I really like how this layout turned out :)

I hope you all had a wonderful break! 

Peace and Love, y'all!

WOYWW - Noah Elf

Here's what I was working on this Wednesday morning! 

Even though I don't have children yet, I love the idea of Elf on the Shelf...probably because the pictures are just so much fun!  Chase and I live on a budget though...and those elves are expensive!  So I decided to venture out and try to crochet one. 

I used this pattern on Ravelry by Jill Watt 

Here's how it happened....

Looking good...I put pipe cleaner in the limbs so they would be flexible :)

Stevie (my blind kitten) wanted you all to know she helped too!

I tried to make the head according to the pattern directions, but I just couldn't... So I decided to wing it, and this is how it turned out!  Elves shouldn't be bald though...and I think his hat needs a little fringe!

Hmm...Did I accidentally make my elf look like my husband?  Maybe?

Stevie thinks this Noah Elf character may have turned out alright.  Noah Elf likes being kind to the animals :)



So that's my workspace this week!   Now I'm off to bit of blog hopping (and maybe clean my house too).

Peace and Love, y'all!

CT# 2: Jen Wright Designs

The second CT (creative team) I joined is Jen Wright Designs. 

Here's a layout I made with her kit, Little Town.  I really like the concept of Little Town.  She designed it after her favorite hymn.  My momma used to sing "O Little Town of Bethlehem" as a lullaby so it holds a very special place in my heart. 


Here's my project life style layout!    The Journal Cards (I designed them with her kit) is available for purchase here.

Here's the preview of the kit.  Isn't it cute?  Available here.

Jen is giving away a matching tag on her Facebook :)

New Scrapbooking Endeavors: Dee's Deelights

It's been a very long time since I've been on a CT... The last one I was one was back in 2009.  


I applied to 3 CTs, and now I'm in 3 CTs.  LOL!  I really didn't expect to be in all of them, but I'm happy I am.  So over the next few days, I'll be making layouts for my scrapbook using some of the new kits from the 3 designers who were kind enough to welcome me onto their team.

First up:  Dee Deelights

Her kit, A Walk in the Park, had a windmill element!  It was perfect for my Tulip Festival pictures.  In 2012, we went to a Dutch festival up in Iowa.  There were windmills all over the little town!




Lately, I've been intrigued by the concept of project life...You just slip in the photos.  In my thoughts, it's scrapbooking for the simple reason of documenting everyday moments.  Sometimes I get lost in the process of making pages and forget why I'm making them.   Using this style layout helps me focus on documenting :)

I used A Walk in the Woods again for this kit.  The font is as ever Darcy Baldwin's DJBKatieM (my custom made handwriting font)


Thank you, Dee for taking me on as a CT member.   Hopefully, I can be of service to you and help you grow your business :)

Peace and Love, y'all!  I'll be posting soon about my other new Creative Teams!

Scrapping Away

This past week has been a very productive week for my 2013 scrapbook!   I've gotten ALMOST caught up!  Of course, I can't really share pictures of the interesting, little visitors who periodically come to stay with us so the layouts look a little funny with strategically placed elements. 


Here are a few that I have completed.  All the products are from Sweet Shoppe.


http://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/sweetshoppe/product.php?productid=25807&cat=0&page=1
I'm quite proud of myself on this layout.  I made the Project Life-ish template all by myself.

Credits: DJBApple Pie, Reed and Hartley Lovers Dreamers and Me. (kit is now retired)

Zoe Pearn Happiness Is (Also retired I believe)
Cindy Schneider's date templates for the dated circle

Lauren Grier's Kitteh Love - Retired from SSD but still available here.  Font is DJB ApplePie (by Darcy Baldwin)


I've really felt inspired by the Project Life style scrapbooks lately.  Not familiar with Project Life?  It's a new-ish style of scrapbooking.  Simple, efficient. More info here:  http://beckyhiggins.com/project-life/.     Most folks who are making these sort of albums are aiming to capture every week.  I think every month will be sufficient for us.   


Anyway, I'm having quite a lot of fun scrapbooking again after a very long break.  I think maybe it's time to venture out again into some of the larger scrapbooking communities.  I've been exclusively hanging out in the charming little Sweet Shoppe community...but maybe I'm ready to give DST a second chance as well as try out a few more!  Maybe I'll even try out for a CT or two!


Peace and Love, y'all

Ordinary Life

So how's life been lately?  Busy...but quiet at the same time.  Life steadily trudges onward.  It feels as if fall has come and went.  The leaves put on their glorious display of colors and fell. 


Stevie was less than impressed with the fall leaves. 

 

Chase and I were much more inspired.  We had a perfect date together enjoying the color change.

Another of my cousins is married!  Congrats Jon and Christine! 

The rest of the time is spent snuggling with my kitten, watching Star Trek with Chase, or reading...

Nothing going on that's too exciting!


Peace and Love, y'all!

A real-life update: weddings, ulcers, mochas, shopping, fall

So here's a real update on life's going (no art or foster children). 


Last weekend, I went to Texas for a wedding.  Congrats to the happy couple!  Love you guys! 



Here's my immediate family!  My brother is so grown up now!

Here are the newly weds: Michael and Jessica!  Since all of my cousins are getting married, it's nice having more girls in the family!  The wedding was just gorgeous, and the reception was one heck of a party.   My family is so wonderful, and I miss them so much.   I'm so blessed to have the support of so many wonderful people.


This week, it was hard to get back into the swing of things, but I managed to survive.   I had some crazy cases, but they seem to be doing alright.    I also had my annual exam.   Much to my surprise, I had significant pain on palpation of my upper abdomen.   It's been 3 days since my appointment, and the pain never really abated.  For the last year and a half, I've had...well it sounds like morning sickness.  Inappetance, nausea, vomiting almost every single morning until about 10 am.  And NO...I'm not expecting.  In May 2012, I was 165 pounds...by October that year I was 150.   I've been maintaining about there since then.   For the past couple of months I've also had a little more heart burn than usual.   Some nights as I'm trying to fall asleep...I feel like I could breathe fire.     So my doctor ordered a full ultrasound, a whole bunch of blood tests, and told me to take omeprazole twice a day instead of just once.  I've been taking it once a day...but it doesn't really seem to help much.   Anywho...I'm waiting for the bloodwork results, and the ultrasound is next week.  After that, she said we'll talk about an upper GI.    Oh joy!  


This weekend, Beth and I went shopping.  Why not, eh? Who cares that I wear blue jeans and a scrub top every single day...  I'll dress up after work for going out.  Yeah...going out.  Fine. I just enjoying owning cute clothes!   CHURCH!  That's where I'll wear them...

After a long day of shopping, a Salted Caramel Mocha sounded just right.  I never drink these frou-frou drinks...but this one was particularly enjoyable (even though I only drank half).

New clothes!  The best part of having an ulcer (or whatever is wrong with my stomach):  Weight loss was effortless.  Not feeling like eating breakfast..and then eating months of salad...or pita with hummus for lunch...or deli meat rolled around a piece of cheese. I lost 15 pounds like it was nothing.  None of my shorts fit anymore...
So the pants with the blue shirt...I tried them on as a dare.  They are shiny, black denim..they actually worked as part of the outfit, and apparently no one else had wanted them since they were 60% off the sale price.

I also couldn't resist this silk, black and white, floral cami with RUFFLES!   I thought it went well with the cardigan I just recently bought...

In other news, fall is upon us with her crisp nights and frosty mornings.     So far these are the only flowers holding on.  My gourd plants have all turned brown and died...so hopefully I will have some nice gourds to paint come spring time!  I will leave the actual gourd crop out there to dry out over the winter.

As far as my art goes, I'm working up the energy to paint my Christmas card line.  I'll admit, I've started watching Christmas movies to get myself in the spirit.  I'm hoping to have a line or two out by Thanksgiving.  




Anyway, if you read this blog...know that I appreciate you!

Peace and Love, y'all!